Intelsat IS-22 702MP satellite — Image credit: Boeing
The UHF payload, built by Boeing, is being placed on the satellite by Intelsat to be used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). When operational, IS-22 also will provide commercial video, network and voice services to Intelsat’s customers throughout the Indian Ocean region. A multidisciplinary team of Boeing and Intelsat officials attended the CDR from July 7 to 15. The reviews included documentation and analysis of all aspects of the satellite’s design, including assembly, integration, testing and safety requirements. Prior to this review, Boeing completed key risk reduction tests on its engineering development unit UHF Antenna, including thermal passive intermodulation tests (thermal PIM) and thermal vacuum multipactor tests. The UHF hosted payload’s existing, qualified digital receiver technology provides on-orbit tunability and reconfigurability of all channels. Its modular design facilitates hosting on Boeing’s 702MP commercial satellite platform. The 702MP satellite uses existing, qualified components and subsystems from the highly successful Boeing 702HP platform and includes enhancements to the bus structure, thermal design, and payload and antenna configuration. Designed as a modular satellite system to support the communications satellite user community, the 702MP offers enhancements that make it faster to build, less costly and more efficient in operation, which enhances the potential for extended service life. Boeing was awarded a contract by Intelsat in 2009 to design and build four geostationary satellites that will enable Intelsat to expand its service offerings to customers throughout the Indian Ocean region, continuing a close partnership between the two companies that has spanned 33 satellites and 43 years. IS-22 is scheduled for launch on an International Launch Services Proton vehicle in 2012.
